Frequently Asked Questions

Will I gain weight from eating so much fat?

On this diet, the amount of food is carefully calculated so that you will eat all the calories you need for good health but you will not gain weight. The fat content of the food will not affect your weight because your total calories will be limited. If you desire to lose weight, that can be worked out with a nutritionist as you are working on the diet.

Do I need to finish all of my food?

You must finish all of your food, because the meal is put together in amounts that will give you the right balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrate. If that is not all eaten, the balance is lost and you may have a seizure.

Will taking prescriptions or other medicines affect the diet?

All medicines and pharmaceuticals from toothpaste to cough syrup to vitamins to prescription drugs must be free of sugar and other carbohydrates. You need to remind your physician to prescribe all needed medications in sugar-free and carbohydrate-free form. Read labels carefully and check with your pharmacist. While you are on the diet, you will be given supplements for a multivitamin, Nutraphos, calcium, and selenium.

Does the diet cause a problem with high cholesterol?

When adults are switched from a normal diet to an 80 percent fat diet, both cholesterol and triglyceride levels may increase. Your lipid levels will be checked on a regular basis while on the diet and if needed adjustments can be made to try to control your cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

What can I eat when I am away from home?

Your dietitian can help plan meals while traveling. Patients often pack their own meals in a cooler. Tuna, egg, or chicken salads are easy to carry in small containers.

What about special holidays like birthdays and Thanksgiving?

The dietitian will be able to give you special recipes to make festive foods while allowing you to stay on the diet.

Explore the rest of Jefferson

The Web site for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, its contents and programs, is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor, is it intended to create any physician-patient relationship. Please remember that this information should not substitute for a visit or a consultation with a healthcare provider. The views or opinions expressed in the resources provided do not necessarily reflect those of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Thomas Jefferson University or their staffs. By using this Web site, you accept these terms of use. Please read our online privacy statement. Please read our privacy practices.